Neko rig has dominated my early summer

[Kenny Yi]

the setup:

MF spinning rod

20 pound braid/10 foot 10# FC leader

zoom trick worm

plastic o-rings

VMC Neko hook size 1

VMC Neko weight 1/16 or 3/32

 

this is the only rig that has caught multiple 3+ pounders for me every week this May/June (a time that has kicked my behind).  I've spent this spring desperately trying to use more finesse presentations, but I disliked many because they were too slow for me.  the Neko rig can be fished fast or slow, skipped under docks and laydowns, use different weights, has weedless options, great hookup ratio, a great rig indeed.  I'm just so happy to have found a finesse presentation that fits me!

[Drew03cmc]

I like the Neko as well. I've been using some 1/8oz or 1/16oz VMC half moons and weedless Neko hooks. The baits I have chosen have been 4" stick baits or Trick Worms. They just eat it.

[BrianMDTX]

I have had good success fishing a Daiwa GYBC Neko Macho, as a Neko rig and as a weightless TR. It’s a versatile bait. 

[walleyecrazy]

I too have been having a good deal of luck with a neko rig so far this late spring/early summer. My go to setup is a Bizz Baits Dizzy Diamond on a 1/0 Chris Zaldain neko hook with a 1/8 Dobyn's nail weight. The Dizzy Diamond is about the perfect Neko rig worm in my opinion, and they have some great colors in them. I've been using the bruised olive color the most so far this year. 

[12poundbass]

Having never fished with, what’s the difference in action between a Neko rig and a weighted wacky rig? 

[walleyecrazy]

1 hour ago, 12poundbass said:

Having never fished with, what’s the difference in action between a Neko rig and a weighted wacky rig? 

 

Neko rig is more of a bottom contact bait, and fishes somewhat similar to a shaky head with the worm standing up off of the bottom. With the weight at one end of the worm it keeps one end on the bottom while the rest of the worm stands up vertically as opposed to the horizontal orientation of a wacky rig. I fish mine with small hops and twitches always keeping it within an inch or two of the bottom. This makes it look very much like something feeding on the bottom as it moves along.

 

[FryDog62]

11 hours ago, Kenny Yi said:

the setup:

MF spinning rod

20 pound braid/10 foot 10# FC leader

zoom trick worm

plastic o-rings

VMC Neko hook size 1

VMC Neko weight 1/16 or 3/32

 

If you like the Trick worm, but want something where the tail floats straight up better try either the Netbait T-Mac worm or the GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler. I got frustrated with the Trick worm because sometimes they float, sometimes they don't...kind of inconsistent at best.  When fishing Neko and fish are neutral to negative, the floating/undulating tails of the T-Mac and Wiggler while just soaking or barely moving really excel! 

[walleyecrazy]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

If you like the Trick worm, but want something where the tail floats straight up better try either the Netbait T-Mac worm or the GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler. I got frustrated with the Trick worm because sometimes they float, sometimes they don't...kind of inconsistent at best.  When fishing Neko and fish are neutral to negative, the floating/undulating tails of the T-Mac and Wiggler while just soaking or barely moving really excel! 

This is why I love the BizzBaits Dizzy Diamond. It always stands up off the bottom, and has nice subtle movement all on its own. It truly does make a difference if you choose the right worm for this presentation. 

[PotatoLake]

I’ve had really good luck with a Missile Baits 4.5” Quiver Worm. That little paddle on the back reacts to any subtle movement. Good stuff.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

5 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

want something where the tail floats straight up better try either the Netbait T-Mac worm or the GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler

Just about all the original GB baits are excellent for bottom contact.  I like the bigger profile of the snake O and ATR so I'm excited to try out there new neko baits.  I have noticed that GB has changed packaging 3 times in as many years which made me think the company was changing hands.  I was sad when they changed that potent garlic scent and just recently I found out they discontinued El Jeffe which boggles my mind as it was 1 of the top 3 colors.  They really don't offer a color that's close to El Jeffe either.  

[Kenny Yi]

does anyone use a Neko craw?  if so, what craw bait do you use?  that's next on my list of improving my fishing

[Drew03cmc]

9 hours ago, walleyecrazy said:

This is why I love the BizzBaits Dizzy Diamond. It always stands up off the bottom, and has nice subtle movement all on its own. It truly does make a difference if you choose the right worm for this presentation. 

This one is on the list of baits to try. I want to find a local dealer, but will order some I guess. 

5 hours ago, Kenny Yi said:

does anyone use a Neko craw?  if so, what craw bait do you use?  that's next on my list of improving my fishing

A Neko craw? I can't see the allure unless it has a worm body with a craw head and claws. My bait of choice thus far has been the 4.25" Stik-O in Sooner Run.

[Kenny Yi]

41 minutes ago, Drew03cmc said:

A Neko craw? I can't see the allure unless it has a worm body with a craw head and claws. My bait of choice thus far has been the 4.25" Stik-O in Sooner Run.

instead of imitating a bottom-feeding prey, it imitates a crawfish in a defensive position.  the claws will flap with each pop (like a fleeing crawfish, it will fold in it's appendages together), since the weight is in the tail.  

[padon]

On 6/26/2021 at 8:18 AM, FryDog62 said:

If you like the Trick worm, but want something where the tail floats straight up better try either the Netbait T-Mac worm or the GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler. I got frustrated with the Trick worm because sometimes they float, sometimes they don't...kind of inconsistent at best.  When fishing Neko and fish are neutral to negative, the floating/undulating tails of the T-Mac and Wiggler while just soaking or barely moving really excel! 

grande bass air tail wiggler is a great neko and shakey head worm, rattlesnake is a really good worm too. dont overlook the big trd or the zinker z on a neko .they float up of course and last several fish,

[FryDog62]

Just now, padon said:

grande bass air tail wiggler is a great neko and shakey head worm, rattlesnake is a really good worm too. dont overlook the big trd or the zinker z on a neko .they float up of course and last several fish,

I’ve mostly stayed with traditional plastic worms, as I find it harder to get the nail weight buried (and to stay buried) inside the Z-Man Elaztech. Otherwise, yes it does float very well. 

[padon]

26 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I’ve mostly stayed with traditional plastic worms, as I find it harder to get the nail weight buried (and to stay buried) inside the Z-Man Elaztech. Otherwise, yes it does float very well. 

yeah that is one problem with it. i actually bought some of the zman neko weights just for that reason and they work pretty well.

[Kenny Yi]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I’ve mostly stayed with traditional plastic worms, as I find it harder to get the nail weight buried (and to stay buried) inside the Z-Man Elaztech. Otherwise, yes it does float very well. 

I stay with whatever is locally available at a DSG or Walmart ?

[CountryboyinDC]

22 hours ago, Kenny Yi said:

does anyone use a Neko craw?

I tried several years back a Big Bite Baits "craw worm" with the same idea.  I'm not sure that bait is still made, but essentially it's a realistic- looking finesse craw.  Anyway, I decided the bites I was getting weren't any better than a worm, so I'm back to a Missle Baits 48, whether I'm Neko or reverse rigging it.